Identification of Rugose Mosaic-Diseased Cherry Trees by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. G. I. Mink, Plant Pathologist, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, WA 99350. Plant Dis. 64:691-694. Copyright 1980 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-691.

Vegetative and flower buds collected during the dormant season from sweet cherry trees infected with cherry rugose mosaic (CRM) strains of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (NRSV) and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) consistently produced absorbance readings 2.5–14 times greater than those obtained with similar tissues taken from trees infected with ordinary strains of NRSV. Procedures were developed to identify CRM-diseased trees before they flower to improve tree removal to reduce intraorchard spread of this disease. ELISA tests made during the growing season with cherry leaf and fruit tissues gave highly variable results unsuitable for diagnostic purposes.